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Election showdown in Afghanistan leads to recount

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says rival candidates in Afghanistan's presidential election agreed to a recount supervised by the U.N. Gavino Garay reports.

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No victor in Afghanistan's presidential elections, as both rival candidates agree to a full recount supervised by the U.N.
The deadlock between contenders Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani -- who have been leading in the polls -- raised concern over the transition of power in the country.
This comes as U.S. troops prepare to leave the country after 12 years in Afghanistan fighting Taliban insurgents.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN KERRY, SAYING:
"With respect to the national unity both candidates have agreed to abide by the results of the audit and that the winner of the election will serve as president and will immediately form a government of national unity."
Presidential candidate Abdallah Abdullah
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, ABDULLAH ABDULLAH; SAYING:
"At the same time I would request the president of Afghanistan, President Karzai, since we have agreed upon extensive, comprehensive and very serious electoral auditing and full auditing."
Abdallah's rival, presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, ASHRAF GHANI; SAYING:
"So this government of national unity will provide the assurance that we will work together, we have agreed on the general framework and we will work out the details in a spirit of mutual trust and cooperation."
Within 24 hours the recounting of ballots is slated to being -- but the process may take weeks.
That means the presidential inauguration, which was scheduled for August 2, will be postponed.
Washington is watching closely and says there will be reprecussions if either side tries to declares victory before the recount is complete.

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